Consumer confidence levels dip over job market anxieties
NEW YORK -- Anxiety about the job market is causing consumer confidence levels to dip, while housing sales also are slowing. But economists aren't worried -- they say the outlook for improvement remains rosy, and the pullbacks are a normal kink in the economy's path to recovery.

After holiday sales help many merchants; up from last year
NEW YORK -- A late spending surge helped boost sales last week for many merchants, according to data released Monday, offering relief to retailers in a holiday season that is still projected to be only modestly better than a year ago.

Prosecutors put blame on Parmalat's founder
ROME -- Prosecutors looking into the financial troubles of Parmalat argued Monday that the dairy company's founder was fully aware of a multibillion dollar fraud, urging a judge to keep the onetime business baron behind bars during the investigation.

Self Help
Read a list of self help groups in St. Johns County with contact information and scheduled meeting times.

Forum will discuss the U.S. and the U.N.
With relations frayed between the United States and the United Nations over the Iraq war and anti-U.N. sentiment on the rise, many are wondering whether the United States should stay part of the world body.

Recycle your old cell phone
TALLAHASSEE -- The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Floridians to recycle old or unwanted cell phones. Recycling electronics helps protect the environment from heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, which can impact groundwater -- the source of 90 percent of Florida's drinking water.

Neighbors: News, notes from North Beaches ...
We hope all of you have had a merry Christmas and an enjoyable holiday. Maybe it's just us, but the traffic has been extremely heavy this year, don't you think? Be careful out there.

Column of the Day: Bridge Results
Now that the New Year is nearly upon us, it is an ideal time to learn some new tricks, try out a new lifelong hobby and learn the world's greatest card game -- bridge.

News Notes
Read about news, meetings and upcoming events in St. Augustine.

ACS planning 2004 Relay for Life
The American Cancer Society St. Johns Unit is in the process of recruiting teams to participate in Relay For Life -- a community event that allows individuals from all walks of life to join in the fight against cancer.

Keeping You in Stitches®
A new year begins this Thursday. 2003 has come and gone and we have a whole new year to make good on our resolutions. We promise ourselves to eat better, create more, spend more time with the family, exercise more and so much more.

Dr. Donohue: The purposes and benefits of immunotherapy
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have allergy symptoms quite badly and have been advised to take allergy shots for them. I don't know if I should. I have always considered shots as black magic. Do they really work, and how long does a person have to take them? -- S.C.

Iraqi Sunni tribal elders form reconciliation
TIKRIT, Iraq -- Influential spiritual leaders from Saddam Hussein's hometown -- a bastion of anti-American sentiment -- are joining forces to persuade Iraqis to abandon the violent insurgency, one of the leaders said Monday.

Unhappiness with gift blamed for firebombing
LOS ANGELES -- A woman unhappy with a Christmas present from her former stepmother was arrested Sunday along with her boyfriend on suspicion of arson for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail into the ex-stepmother's home, causing $200,000 in damage, police said.

Families of wounded soldiers to get free plane tickets to visit them
WASHINGTON -- Jo Sissel got some good news for a change Tuesday. Her son Aaron, 22, was killed last month when his convoy was ambushed in Iraq. The Tipton, Iowa, woman has been at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, visiting her son's childhood friend and fellow solider Joe Gottschalk, 24, also from the same town, who was shot in the head during the same ambush.

Dean, Clark lead in fourth-quarter fund raising
WASHINGTON -- Aided by aggressive Internet campaigns, Democratic presidential candidates Howard Dean and Wesley Clark raised the most money in the final quarter of 2003, according to preliminary estimates.

North Korea ready to talk -- in principle
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration confirmed on Monday receiving word from China that North Korea was willing -- in principle -- to hold a second round of nuclear talks.

Security stepped up for international airlines over U.S.
WASHINGTON -- The United States will ensure that other governments enforce a new American requirement placing armed law enforcement officers on some flights to prevent hijackings, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Monday as the nation headed into the New Year's holiday with terror threats high.

Police Report: Man threatens others with knife
A 33-year-old Atlantic Beach man was arrested Monday after witnesses said he pulled a knife on patrons leaving Hooter's restaurant in Cobblestone Village, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

'Officer Joe' retiring from SAPD
The veteran police officer in a Santa Claus suit, arms filled with teddy bears, was once a New Jersey detective staking out a row of motels and hotels run down by prostitution, drug dealers and crooks.

Contract for legal services approved
The St. Johns County School Board renewed its contract for legal services with the firm of Upchurch, Bailey and Upchurch, P.A., through June 30, 2005.

Man lands in some hot water with state over barge
A steel barge, half sunk in the Intracoastal Waterway. A cat-and-mouse investigative trick. William E. Hoover had three chances to remove his 25-foot barge from the waters near Palm Valley, according to Lt. Bill Head of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Police Report: Man arrested for burglary
A Jacksonville man was arrested after a break-in at the BP gas station on State Road 16 on Christmas Day. A Florida Highway Patrol Trooper and a St. Johns County sheriff's deputy said they found the man with a silver wrench in one hand and a bag of cigarettes in the other, according to the report.

Fantasy 5 payouts
TALLAHASSEE -- One winner of the "Fantasy 5" game will collect $215,413.73, the Florida Lottery said Tuesday.

Alexander J. Ziemski
Alexander J. Ziemski, 80, of White Springs, died Dec. 20, 2003, at his home. He was a native of Camden, N.J., a former resident of St. Augustine, and had lived in White Springs since 1998. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He was retired from Owens Corning Fiberglass Company, and was of the Catholic faith.

Donal Thayer Conley
Donal Thayer Conley, MD, 78, former resident and physician of St. Augustine, died Dec. 28, 2003, at his home in Tampa, Fla.. He was a native of Kansas City, Mo., and had moved to St. Augustine in 1979. He practiced medicine in St. Augustine and Daytona Beach until he retired in 2003. He was medical director of the St. Augustine Hospice Group and president of the Flagler Hospital medical staff. He was board certified in obstetrics-gynecology and psychiatry. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Catherine S. Poston
Catherine S. Poston, 78, of Welaka, Fla., died, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003 at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine following an extended illness. A native of Baxley, Ga., she had resided in Welaka since 1979 coming from Jacksonville. Mrs. Poston was a homemaker and enjoyed fishing.

Myrtle Irene Crews
Myrtle Irene Crews, 50, of St. Augustine, died Dec. 27, 2003, at Flagler Hospital. A native of St. Augustine, she was a licensed practical nurse for 20 years in the community.

Julia R. Bassett
Julia R. Bassett, 95, St. Augustine, died Dec. 17, 2004 at Moultrie Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Lenox, Mass. and had resided in St. Augustine since 1985, moving here from Pittsfield, Maine. She was retired from General Electric and she was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Shirley B. Elliott
Shirley B. Elliott, age 73, of St. Augustine, died Dec. 25, 2003, at her home. She was born in Detroit, Mich., and had resided in St. Augustine since 1963, moving here from Orlando. She was a devoted mother, and was an avid listener and supporter of the Family Radio Ministry.

Ruby Dorothy Meaker
Ruby Dorothy Meaker, 83, of St. Augustine, died Dec. 27, 2003, at Flagler Hospital. A native of Fitzgerald, Ga., she resided in St. Augustine since 1956 and was a member of Wards Creek Baptist Church.

Melrick Griffith
Melrick Griffith, 79, of St. Augustine, died Dec. 23, 2003 at Flagler Hospital. He was a native of New York City and was a resident here since February 1979. He was a retired New York City police officer and an accomplished musician who appeared with his trio at many local clubs. He was predeceased by his parents, Cedric and Harriet Watley Griffith; and two brothers, Clement Griffith and Kenneth Griffith. He served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II.

Robert S. Voorhees
Robert S. Voorhees, 73, of St. Augustine, died Dec. 29, 2003, at his home. He was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a former resident of Green Cove Springs before moving to St. Augustine in 1972. He was a heavy equipment operator and was retired from St. Johns County Road and Bridge Department, and a World War II Army Air Force veteran. He was of the Catholic faith.

Letter: Fox News lacks maturity
Editor: While I was watching TV earlier this week, I stopped at the Fox News channel to learn more about what was happening in Iraq. I was extremely disappointed to find that instead of keeping the nation informed of news in Iraq, Fox News was running names of celebrities who opposed the war in Iraq across the bottom of the screen and telling everyone listening that they (Fox News) were right and everyone else was wrong, reminding me of quarreling children.

Letter: On the growth problem
Editor: We learned recently that the county commissioners of Osceola County have tripled their impact fees to meet "the needs of an expanding student population and... for new school construction."

Letter: Hospital should have pediatric surgery facility
Editor: I believe the citizens of St. Johns County, present and future, should be aware of the fact that Flagler Hospital does not have a pediatric surgery facility. What this means is that if a child needs surgery of any nature he/she will be directed to Jacksonville for treatment. My family recently had an experience that I would like to share.

Letter: On respect for animals
Editor: Opinion polls have indicated that the majority of adults would be more likely to support health charities that do not fund animal experiments. The Humane Charity Seal of Approval was created by a coalition of physicians and animal protection organizations to help people better identify "cruelty-free" health charities. Organizations that participate in this program guarantee that they do not fund research using animals.

Editorial: An endangered act
It's not an anniversary that was marked with parades or cards or television specials. But the 30th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, signed into law on Dec. 28, 1973, by President Nixon, is nevertheless worth pausing to reflect on.

Letter: Hens should stretch their wings
Editor: I find it very disturbing that we have a labelling of eggs which is allowed by the United Egg Producers and is sanctioned with "Animal Care Certified" label. All this while hens are still subjected to forced molting, debeaking and smothering at landfills and rendering plants.

Editorial: Coming to Iran's rescue
The world has responded to the devastation in Iran's ancient city of Bam with an overwhelming outpouring of aid. Rescuers and aid workers, sniffer dogs, water, food, blankets, tents, medical supplies and other essentials poured into the broken city from around the globe, from Europe, from China, from Russia -- and from the United States.

Pacers ruin LeBron's birthday; Knicks cruise
CLEVELAND -- LeBron James had the wrong guys show up for his party. Jermaine O'Neal scored 21 points and Ron Artest hit a crucial 3-pointer in the final minute as the Indiana Pacers wrecked James' 19th birthday Tuesday night with a 92-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

AP: Bryant case is story of 2003
The young hotel worker's accusation was shocking enough: Thrilled by a chance encounter with a celebrity, she went to his room only to be forced over a chair and sexually assaulted.

Spurrier skips out on 'Skins
WASHINGTON -- Steve Spurrier's resignation was as confusing as his offensive strategy, adding another dysfunctional day to the recent history of the Washington Redskins.

Symons' air attack too strong for Navy in Houston Bowl
HOUSTON -- Navy was no match for Texas Tech's air force. B.J. Symons completed the most prolific passing season in NCAA history Tuesday by throwing for 497 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Red Raiders to a 38-14 victory over the Midshipmen in the Houston Bowl.

Baltimore LB Suggs wins defensive rookie honors
Although he didn't start until the season finale, Terrell Suggs was so impressive for the Baltimore Ravens that he earned The Associated Press' NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award Tuesday.

Miami's Taylor thinking big again
MIAMI -- Florida State coach Bobby Bowden placed his hand on his face and tilted his head back slightly, trying to remember the last player to "intimidate" his offense like All-American safety Sean Taylor did in October.

Detective faces firing in hidden $550,000
JACKSONVILLE (AP) -- A detective accused of filing away $550,000 in property settlements over the years, rather than depositing it, will be suspended while police officials try to have him fired, police said Monday.

Rescue workers find survivors three days after quake
BAM, Iran -- As search crews despaired of finding more survivors from Iran's devastating earthquake, Monday brought moments of hope: Rescuers pulled a girl out alive from the rubble of her caved-in house, and three men believed dead stirred in their white burial shrouds.

Investigation into European mail
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- Investigators zeroed in on an Italian anarchist group Tuesday as the likely source of four small bombs mailed to prominent European organizations in recent days.

Chinese villagers returning home after gas disaster
BEIJING -- Thousands of evacuees were returning Monday to villages in China's southwest following the sealing of a burst gas well that spewed toxic fumes and left the area strewn with bodies of adults and children, the government said.

Jewish settlers warn they will not leave their homes alive
GINNOT ARIEH, West Bank -- Insisting they are bound to the land, Jewish settlers living in this tiny cluster of trailers said Monday the government would have to forcibly remove them from their homes if it carries out a decision to tear down their outpost.

Israel helicopter fires missiles at car
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) -- An Israeli helicopter fired two missiles at a car carrying militants from the Hamas group late Tuesday, wounding at least 11 people and raising fears of an intensification of Middle East violence.

Rescuers shift focus to treating wounded in Iranian quake
BAM, Iran -- Aid workers sifting through the ruins of Iran's devastating earthquake shifted their operations Tuesday from searching for survivors to helping the injured and homeless -- and burying the corpses still being pulled from the rubble.

Russian bear expert dies in apparent mauling
MOSCOW -- Vitaly Nikolayenko, one of Russia's best-known bear researchers and a man who spent 25 years living with the enormous brown bears of the wild Kamchatka peninsula, has been found dead in an apparent bear mauling, authorities said Tuesday.

ElBaradei: Libya in early stages of nuclear program
TRIPOLI, Libya -- Libya received its nuclear technology from a "sophisticated" international network but not necessarily with the knowledge of any government, the U.N. nuclear chief said after touring four Libyan atomic sites and meeting with the country's leader, Moammar Gadhafi.